Opportunism galore in Prez. Poll


By Prof. Bhim Singh

The 13th President of India shall take over Rashtrapati Bhawan after midnight on 25th July, 2012. The results are obvious with the height of opportunism touching the skies by giving a go bye to the political ideologies or commitments the political parties had made to their electorates in the election of the Parliament and the respective Assemblies.

Opportunism was a galore right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari leaving no doubt that the politicians are a class ridden with opportunism and seeking money and power alone, may it be the election to the Parliament or for the highest post of President of the country.

Most interesting episode that a high profile Mamata Banerjee founder of Trinmool Congress claiming to be enemy of communists joined hands with CPM of Bengal only to help P.K. Mukherjee at the nick of the hour. A vertical division in the TMC cannot be ruled out. Six members of her party in Manipur Assembly were all set to vote for Mr. Sangma. The CPM claiming to be die hard enemy of the Ambanis (capitalists) fell in the lap of the Ambanis to support their ardent supporters in the Presidential poll. After all it was the courtesy of P.K. Mukherjee that Ambanis orchids blossomed out of proportion during the past decades. On the other hand the Kashmiries felt severe shock in the history when they found that their favourite party PDP led by Mufti Mohd. Sayeed joined the bandwagon driven by National Conference. The truth as they see is glaring that has been exposed by the Presidential poll. National Conference and PDP have been exposed as two faces of the same coin. Situation in Maharashtra is more tragic particularly for the ideologues who served Congress for its secular and nationalist characteristics. The 13th President of India, a Congressman by birth, has to prostrate before Bal Thackrey, Shiv Sena founder who was denounced by the Congress as a communalist and even destroyer of Babri Masjid. Who has changed in 2012?

Bal Thackrey or the Congress? This is the voice of millions that opportunism is galore. What benefit political leadership is going to seek from the next President of India is a million dollars question. But one thing is sure that the political leadership in the country, with exceptions of course, has lost their commitment to the cause of their electorates. The principle cause the politicians is to amass wealth, rob state exchequer, exploit the helpless electorates to seek power at every cost. Besides, the dynasty rule is the cherished goal of every politician at the national or state level. With some exceptions, the politicians are raising wealth and rearing their families to be prosperous politicians and wealthy men.

The tragedy looms longer when one looks at the new leadership in Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Jagan Mohan Reddy who has been identified as an alternative to the corrupt and outdated Congress leadership in Andhra Pradesh. This YSR Congress led by this young man displayed a U-turn in the Presidential poll by declaring support to the UPA candidate has nipped the leadership in the nip. In the morning he defeats Congress and in the afternoon his legislators support the Congress candidate in the Presidential poll. Both Mamata and Jagan Mohan Reddy need schooling in a political school before they could be considered fit for their respective jobs. It is surprising that JD(U) a splinter group of Jaiprakash Narayan’s Janata Party which was created during the people’s war against Congress has found safe havens in the corridors of Congress. JD(U) leadership, a part of NDA has definitely defied the moral values that was expected out of them. Supporting Congress and sitting with NDA in the Presidential poll has exposed the leadership of its opportunist stand. It is the talk of the town that Mayawati supported Congress candidate for the unexpected relief she got from the Supreme Court only because the Govt. of India chose not to press the petition against her. The Samajwadi Party got 45000 crores of rupees unexpected economic package just four days before the election of the Presidential was held. The National Conference government in J&K was awarded a package worth 7300 crores of rupees just three days before the election of the President. The Chief Election Commission of India did not care even to acknowledge the protest letter in this corrupt electoral game plan filed by J&K National Panthers Party. It was a great election devoid of any Code of Conduct or principles of natural justice.

In spite of the shocking state of affairs with the majority of the political parties, there is some light emerging from the dark lane of the tunnel of history. One has to appreciate the grand and logistic role of the regional leadership. Jaylalitha in Tamil Nadu, Prakash Singh Badal in Punjab, Navin Patanaik in Orissa, Om Prakash Chautala in Haryana, Panthers Party in J&K, AGP in Assam and some other leaders in their resolve to support the independent candidate, P.A. Sangma.

The positive outcome of this historic Presidential poll in the largest democracy of the world may be clear and certain that a new pragmatic, progressive, secular and scientific Alternative Front shall emerge with the mighty and farsighted leadership of the youth in this country. The youth shall lead the Ultimate Revolution, Samool Kranti to give birth to the new leadership in the country to eliminate corruption, communalism, criminalization and opportunism among the political class in this country. India has a great future, of course with new leadership after the Vikalp is created with ultimate goal to enhance India’s image to deal the world towards peace and glory.

Bhim Singh

(Chairman, National Panthers Party,

Sr. Advocate, Supreme Court of India)